Chapter 5: Modern Combat
Reaper watched as the classroom filled with students and saw one by one his own teammates walk in and join him at the front of the room. After the last student walked in and found their seat the bell rang and Reaper stepped forward.
"Good afternoon everyone, and welcome to Advanced Aerial Combat class or AAC. This class's focus will be to fine tune you piloting skills in order for you to excel in today's form of aerial warfare. I am you assistant teacher Reaper, and as you will all notice behind me is my team. Every member of my team is an experienced pilot with years fighting in the form we wish to teach you, so please do not hesitate to ask either them or myself any questions you may have." Reaper paused and gave a nod to his team who stepped forward.
"As some of you have already met them, these are my teammates Death, Rook, Preacher, and Nightmare. Also the one you haven't seen before is Shadow 5 call sign Wraith who is our team's tech expert." Tyler introduced the last unknown member of Shadow team who stepped forward. Wraith was a human male that stood at about 6'4 with black hair, brown eyes and had slightly tan skin. Wraith gave a nod before leaning down and examining a large projector on the floor at the front of the class.
"Now your actual teacher isn't here today so I will be filling in for him. Are there any questions?" Reaper asked as he glanced around the room. Seeing a few hands raised Tyler pointed to a female leopard"Yes Miss. Cortez?"
The female leopard stood "Please call me Ilia, and I was looking at the lesson plan earlier today and noticed that…well… there isn't one." Ilia stated with a hesitant and questioning tone.
Reaper nodded "You are correct there is not a lesson plan because as many of you are active pilots an emergency may occur that would require you to leave for a certain amount of time. Also the fact that the level of skill in the class varies so much that having a fixed lesson plan will only either hold some back or leave some behind and that is something I refuse to do." Tyler finished as he looked about the room again for more questions before pointing to a female artic wolf.
"Yes I was talking to another member of the faculty and they said that we are only using this room for half the year, where will we be for the other half?" the female artic wolf known as Lilly Valentine asked.
Reaper couldn't help but smile as he answered this question "Many of you here will love this, the 2nd half of the school year after break will be taught onboard an active military starship. In other words the second half of the year will be gaining all of you experience thru actual live fire missions against real targets." At this the class settled into excited whispers before one last hand shoot up.
Reaper nodded his head "Yes Miss. Vulama?" he asked the female wolf celeberty.
"So to be clear…" Ashley stood up and fixed Reaper with a serious gaze. "Everyone taking this class will be going on this…field trip and be given a combat position apon graduation correct?" Ashley asked as she held her breath waiting for his answer.
Reaper gave a nod "Yes Miss. Vulama that is correct and I have made sure that you will receive a combat role with the Corneria Military upon graduation." Reaper affirmed.
"And the promise of our own aircraft?" Ashley asked while her gaze had relaxed considerably.
"Will be arriving tomorrow, you all will be able to inspect them this weekend." Reaper nodded with a happy smile and took her seat. "Now on with today's lesson." Reaper said before stepping forward.
Reaper made his way to the large projector in front of the teacher's desk. The projector looked like a circular depression in the floor that was ringed with metal and had a consul in front of it that Reaper was now typing on.
"This is a recording from a battle back where I am from, take note of the difference between the speed, maneuvers, and weaponry used in this fight." Reaper said as the projector tuned on and an image of the battle appeared.
Strange craft flew at high speed around the image as they pulled tight turns to attack and evade one another. The class watch amazed as one fighter fired what seemed to be a missile but smaller and much faster at another fighter it was chasing. As the missile speed toward the craft bright orbs emerged from the targeted craft as it pulled a loop so tight Nick would have thought it was impossible. The fighter in the middle of its loop was pointed directly down at the trailing craft, that couldn't evade in time, as the fighter poured what appeared to be bullets from a large Gatling gun like canon secured under the fighters nose directly into the canopy of the craft. Just as the craft exploded in a yellow fireball the projector tuned off.
Reaper now looked at the amazed class "This is the type of warfare that you all will soon find your selves." Reaper paused looking about the class before continuing "I know some of you may view this with some skepticism so I've prepared a little demonstration, would the Star Fox team please come to the front of the room."
Fox, Falco, Slippy, and Krystal stood and formed a line facing the class. Reaper walked back and forth down the line, casually looking at the individuals before him before speaking "Star Fox you are supposedly the best flyers in Lylat so tell me…" Reaper began as he gestured to where the image had been "Do you think you could beat a team of fighters like the ones we just saw?"
Fox went to answer but was interrupted by Slippy "Nothing's impossible for Star Fox!" the toad shouted full of pride as he was quickly followed by Krystal and Falco, Fox was noticeably silent however.
Reaper nodded smiling "I see… tell you what how about a little challenge then?" the human smiled as he walked to a door in the front left of the room next to the Teacher's desk. Reaper opened the door to reveal 20 flight simulators situated amongst a large white room. They weren't just normal simulators however the where the most cutting edge simulators available even able to reproduce accurate sounds and images of battle even the G forces where created making one feel as close to a real battle as possible.
Reaper looked back at the Star Fox team "The challenge is simple you all fight me in your beloved Arwings and I'll fly one of the fighters from the video." Reaper said as he stood in front of the team.
Krystal spoke up "But it's four against one that wouldn't be fair!"
Reaper put on a thoughtful expression "Your right… Mr. Bartlet, Mr. Sol with me! Mr. Grey and Ms. Monroe join the Star Fox team." Reaper announced as he turned back to Krystal now it's 2 to 1, good enough for you… Perfect!" Reaper said not giving time for Krystal to reply.
"I-I-I h-have to go up against S-Star Fox!" Nick thought as he and a green fox stood up and followed Reaper and the now seething Star Fox team. Nick looked over to the green fox and whispered "Hi I'm Nick. I barely made it into this academy so I don't know how good I will do, you?" Nick asked rather nervously.
The fox looked at him and sighed "Brian, and to tell you the truth I've never really flown before accept in the admission sim." Brian replied. Somehow the fact that Nick was the second most experienced member of their team did little to help his confidence. As they all reached there simulators the rest of the class gathered around the projector to watch the battle as it played out. While the other members of Shadow team prepared to commentate on the battle.
Nick climbed into the seat of his simulator and the lid closed, soon the interior was let up as the display showed that he was on Red team and that they were facing team Star Fox, Reaper probably just selecting the default team name. Nick was designated as "Red 2", but to his surprise he saw it change to "Cross".
"Cross?" Nick asked out loud, suddenly Reapers voice came in through the speakers.
"Yea, I saw that necklace you had on and thought it would fit so congratulations on receiving your call sign." Reaper explained through the squad communication system.
Brian, now designated "Storm" by Reaper came over the comm "Is there a plan here or…"
Reaper interrupted "Oh I have a plan alright listen up…"
-Action Scene beginning-
(Fox's POV)
Fox and his team flew in their iconic diamond formation while Katt and Bill followed just behind also flying Arwings. The battle field materialized into a vast blue sea with scattered clouds and the bright sun shining above them, the perfect weather for flying.
"Okay everyone listen up!" Fox ordered to his team. "Bill and Katt will take on Nick and that Sol kid, Star Fox will take Reaper understood?"
"Roger!" his team answered in unison.
Suddenly after a few seconds laser fire rained down on the Star Fox teams' formation from above.
"Split up!" Fox shouted, but before his team could do anything the laser fire focused in on Slippy's craft taking down his shields. Just before the toad could pull away however 2 lasers found the energy capacitors which fed energy to the engines located at the back of Slippy's craft just above the engines. The beams penetrated the capacitors causing the energy within to overload and explode, enveloping Slippy's Arwing in a bright fireball.
The other students watching the battle on the projector couldn't help but gasp at how quickly a member of Star Fox was taken down. "Remember to dive on you opponent, altitude is life for a fighter pilot in atmosphere." Death announced out loud to the students as they watched the battle.
Back in the simulator an Arwing suddenly past threw the space between where Slippy's ship had been and Bill's Arwing.
"I'm going to nail you S.O.B.!" Bill growled as he plunged after the Arwing. Katt, with her feline reflexes, had pulled up and to the left of Star Fox's formation, around Fox's 8 o'clock position, and wasn't able to turn to support Bill. Just then a shadow loomed over fox. He looked up just in time to witness the same type of craft from the earlier video that had shoot down the other dive down between Fox, Krystal, and Falco's Arwings to chase after Bill.
The craft had a blue and white camo paint schema with the cockpit located toward the front and two fins on the back. (pull up an image of the Su-27 then imagine it with a big Gatling beneath the nose and instead of jet engines picture the same glow as seen behind the Arwings from Star Fox Command but red and you've got it)
Fox tried to warn Bill who was still diving after the Arwing that took down Slippy. "Bill on your six!"
"Huh?" Bill replied likely straining around to see what was behind him. However it was far too late.
The strange craft, which had to be flown by Reaper, was much faster than Bill's Arwing had already got into weapons range and released a quick controlled burst from its Gatling canon (I now dub this weapon a GAT canon) directly into the cockpit of Bill's Arwing, which without a pilot plunged into the sea.
"Always check your six in combat, it's the enemy that you don't see that will kill you." Nightmare stated to the watching students.
The Arwing Bill had been chasing along with Reapers' craft leveled of above the water. Fox and his team quickly dove at them trying to get in laser range. Seeing this Slippys killer banked up and to the right as Reaper banked to the left, stayed level and accelerated. Fox, Falco, and Krystal followed Reaper while Katt climbed to engage the Arwing.
Fox, Falco, and Krystal where unable to get into weapons range before they had to level off over the water. Reapers craft suddenly kicked into max speed and began to bank left, to Fox's amazement he saw a glint beneath Reaper's craft and realized that it had strong landing jets generally used for landing but now converted for extra maneuverability and speed on the underside and, fox suspected, on the top and bottom of his wings. As he banked left Reaper cut his throttle down to increase his turn and sharpen his turn further. Fox and the two other pilots watched in amazement as Reaper pulled a high G left turn directly toward them, the sight of his GAT canon bellowing hot rounds at them startled them out of their shock and forced them to pull up to avoid the fire.
"Know your enemies cappibilites don't play into his advantage, instead force him into yours." Rook announced to the watching students who had their eyes glued to the image from the projector.
As Reapers craft, slowed down because of the turn, soared directly under them put Falco in the perfect position to pounce. Falco quickly dove onto reaper's tail before Fox or Krystal could and into weapons range.
"You're mine!" Falco screamed as he open fired on Reaper with his lasers.
Reaper seeing Falco open fire banked slightly to the right causing the lasers to miss and harmlessly hit the ocean kicking up water. Then Reaper did a move that caught Falco by surprise, (What else is new) Reaper suddenly cut his throttle almost to the brink of staling while slightly pulling up. Then yanking his fighter in a slow left barrel roll, (do a barrel roll! Sorry had to say it) effectively rolling over Falco's fighter, the two crafts canopy's missing each other by 3 feet. The maneuver put Reaper onto Falco's tail and before the avian could react Reaper opened up with his GAT canon. The stream of hot lead chewed into the left side of Falco's Arwing causing the left wing to break off and consuming the left side of the craft in flames. The sudden loss of the wing caused Falco to begin an uncontrolled spin as his craft rapidly lost altitude.
"Awww Cu-!" Falco began to scream before his burning ship crashed into the sea.
Fox and Krystal who had turned to follow Falco just in time to see his demise quickly accelerated toward Reaper, who also accelerated and pulled up. Before either of the remaining Star Fox members could go after him however laser fire from Fox's right flashed between the two causing them to split apart, Krystal who was off to fox's left, broke left while Fox broke right.
Fox looked in the direction the shoots had come from and saw the Arwing that had shoot Slippy down soar over his craft and chase after Krystal firing lasers all the way.
"What the! Where the hell is Ka-!" Fox couldn't even finish the thought as Katt's voice came through the comm.
"Ohhhh nooooo!" her voice screamed.
Fox looked around and saw Katt's Arwing just in time to see the second Arwing on Reaper's team, which must have been hovering over the battle, riddle Katt's Arwing with laser fire reducing the craft to a flaming wreak as it tumbled threw the sky as its vanquisher triumphantly roared past it.
"Never leave a pilot without a wingman, they are your only help in the chaos of a furball." Preacher announced to the awe struck class now watching a 3vs2 battle.
"Damn!" Fox screamed as he chased after the Arwing pursuing Krystal.
Fox closed into weapons range and open fired at the Arwing behind his sole surviving teammate. However like a bad dream the Arwing danced around his lasers by a combination of slight turns and barrel rolls and all the while continued to poor fire onto Krystal's craft.
Fox watched in horror as Krystal's Arwing took a series of hits to the engine and literally dissolved to thousands of pieces that rained down into the ocean.
"Noooooooo!" Fox screamed as he watched the destruction of the one person he cared about most in the galaxies craft. Fox's anger rose and centered on the Arwing in front of him, with a new found accuracy Fox poured laser after laser into the Arwing's shields until they fell. The pilot of the now defenseless Arwing quickly began wild evasive maneuvers.
"Oh no. You are not getting away!" Fox roared, chasing after the craft.
"Never concentrate on the enemy in front of you as you blind yourself to what is happening around you." Wraith stated to the assembled class.
In the sim Fox noticed something in his peripheral vision and glanced up and saw Reaper diving on him from his right.
"Not this time!" Fox shouted as he rolled to the right spoiling Reapers aim and forcing the Human to abort his dive or risk crashing into the water below.
"Now for yo-!" Fox began to announce before he looked back at the Arwing he was pursuing and saw that instead of the one Arwing trying to evade him there where instead two. The second Arwing that had shot down Katt was now upside down and flying over the Arwing Fox was pursuing, a mere foot separating the two craft, and firing lasers at Fox in a head on pass.
Fox having just evaded Reaper couldn't evade, and watched as the lasers peppered his Arwing. The last thing he saw was flames before he heard an explosion and the screen went black. Fox sat there breathing heavily as a message scrolled across the screen.
SIMULATION OVER
RED TEAM WINS!
Fox sat back in the seat. He had forgotten it was all a simulation, his team and friends weren't dead, it was all a game. But no matter what fox told himself one thought kept coming back to him. "Soon one day it wouldn't be."
And that's chapter 5. Hope you all enjoyed! Till next time stay frosty and don't forget to review!